The 2026 IAPCO & FIEXPO Emerging Leaders Programme – LATAM and the Jorge Castex Scholarship is a regional education and leadership development initiative designed to support emerging professionals across the meetings and events industry in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Delivered by IAPCO in partnership with FIEXPO, the programme reflects IAPCO’s global commitment to advancing professional excellence, strengthening regional capacity and creating meaningful opportunities for learning, mentorship and international collaboration.
Applications are open until 30 June.
About the Programme
The IAPCO-FIEXPO Emerging Leaders Programme – LATAM has been created to identify and nurture emerging talent within Professional Congress Organisers (PCOs) and Destination Management Companies (DMCs) across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Through a structured educational journey, participants will gain access to practical learning, mentorship, collaboration opportunities and engagement with industry leaders from across the international meetings community. The programme forms part of IAPCO’s broader global workforce development strategy and commitment to strengthening professional excellence, leadership capability and regional capacity across the meetings industry. More than a training programme, this initiative is an investment in people, their growth, their potential and their future contribution to our industry.
The programme culminates in the Jorge Castex Scholarship, named in honour of Jorge Castex, former IAPCO President, former Chair of the IAPCO Training Academy, and one of Latin America's most respected meetings industry leaders. The Scholarship winner will receive complimentary access to ACE I (IAPCO Accredited Conference Expert, Level 1)*, delivered online.
*Member login required.
The vision behind the Programme
In a short video, Jimena Ruiz, IAPCO Council Member, IAPCO Training Academy Regional Representative for LATAM, and Chief of Staff at BTC Americas, introduces the initiative, shares its educational journey and explains how it is designed to support and inspire the next generation of meetings industry leaders across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Watch Jimena’s introduction below.
Meet the Faculty
The FIEXPO-IAPCO Emerging Leaders Programme – LATAM brings together an exceptional faculty of recognised industry leaders from across Latin America.
Representing Professional Congress Organisers, convention centres, destinations and industry organisations, faculty members have been selected for their expertise, leadership experience and contribution to the advancement of the meetings industry.
Through a series of practical, leadership-focused modules, participants will gain insights into the evolving role of the modern PCO, governance and accountability, stakeholder management, financial strategy and leadership in an increasingly complex global environment.
Designed specifically for the realities and opportunities of the LATAM region, the curriculum combines regional expertise with international best practice, creating a learning journey that equips emerging leaders with the skills, confidence and perspective needed to contribute to the future of the industry.
Programme Moderator
& Faculty Lead
Jimena Ruiz
IAPCO Council Member
IAPCO Training Academy Regional Representative, LATAM
Chief of Staff, BTC Americas
Jimena will guide participants throughout the programme, facilitating discussions and fostering engagement across the educational journey. As Programme Moderator, she will help connect participants with faculty members, encourage peer-to-peer learning and support meaningful interaction with the wider IAPCO community, ensuring a collaborative and enriching experience for all involved.
Module 1: The Modern PCO: Leadership Identity in the Global Meetings Industry
Juan José García
Global Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, BCO Congresos
Exploring the evolving role of the Professional Congress Organiser and the leadership capabilities required to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and global meetings industry. Participants will examine how the PCO profession continues to evolve and the strategic leadership skills required to create long-term value for clients, destinations and stakeholders.
Module 2: Accountability & Governance in Congress Management
Jose Bisteni
Director of Operations, Servimed
This session explores accountability, governance and organisational responsibility within congress and event management. Participants will gain practical insights into decision-making, professional responsibility and the structures that support successful, transparent and sustainable event delivery.
Module 3: Committee Management & Strategic Programme Design
Renata Pozza
Director of Association Solutions, MCI Brazil, MCI Group
Successful congresses are built on strong stakeholder engagement and effective governance. This module explores how to lead committees, engage diverse stakeholders and design strategic programmes that create value, support organisational objectives and deliver long-term impact.
Module 4: Budgeting, Negotiation & Financial Strategy
Mariano Castex
Managing Director, Latin America, MCI Group
Financial management is a critical leadership skill. This session focuses on budgeting, commercial awareness, financial strategy and negotiation techniques, helping participants strengthen their ability to make informed decisions and manage complex event environments with confidence.
Module 5: Leading the Future of the Meetings Industry
Álvaro Rojas
General Manager, Costa Rica Convention Center
The meetings industry continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace. This session explores leadership, innovation, resilience and future-focused thinking, equipping participants with the mindset and capabilities needed to navigate change and contribute to the future development of the industry.
The Jorge Castex Scholarship
Named in honour of Jorge Castex, IAPCO Past President, former Chair of the IAPCO Training Academy and one of Latin America’s most respected meetings industry leaders, the scholarship celebrates a legacy of leadership, education and professional excellence.
Widely recognised as a foundational figure in the development of the modern PCO profession, Jorge’s commitment to professional development continues to inspire meetings professionals across Latin America and around the world.
The scholarship honours this legacy while creating opportunities for future leaders to continue building on his contribution to the industry.
Leadership Perspectives
The IAPCO-FIEXPO Emerging Leaders Programme – LATAM reflects a shared commitment to developing leadership capability, strengthening regional capacity and supporting the long-term sustainability of the meetings industry.
“The long-term sustainability of the global meetings industry depends on how deliberately we cultivate leadership across generations. Emerging leaders must be integrated into governance, strategy and decision-making.
“Latin America and the Caribbean continue to demonstrate growing capability, influence and innovation within the global meetings industry. This programme provides a structured pathway to nurture talent, strengthen regional capacity and connect emerging professionals with the international meetings community.
“By investing in emerging leaders today, we are strengthening the long-term resilience, professionalism and global influence of the meetings industry across Latin America and the Caribbean.”
Martin Boyle, CEO of IAPCO
“FIEXPO is proud to partner with IAPCO to bring the FIEXPO & IAPCO Emerging Leaders Programme to Latin America and the Caribbean. We are especially honoured that the scholarship bears the name of Jorge Castex, an IAPCO past President, a great advocate for professional development in LATAM and around the world, and one of the most influential figures in the history of our industry who continues to inspire many of us.
“This initiative reflects our shared commitment to strengthening the meetings industry through collaboration, leadership excellence and regional impact. By combining FIEXPO’s regional platform and IAPCO’s global expertise, we are creating lasting opportunities for professionals across Latin America and the Caribbean while honouring Jorge Castex’s enduring contributions to our sector.”
Arnaldo Nardone, Director of FIEXPO Exhibitions Group
“At IAPCO, education is central to our mission to advance professional excellence and strengthen the global business events industry. We are committed to delivering learning opportunities that respond to the distinct needs of each region, equipping professionals with the knowledge, skills and networks needed to thrive.
“Latin America and the Caribbean are home to extraordinary talent, innovation and ambition. By combining IAPCO’s global education expertise with the strength of our regional network and strategic partnerships, we are creating a practical learning journey that equips professionals with the skills, confidence and international perspective needed to advance their careers and contribute to the future of our industry.”
Jimena Ruiz, IAPCO Council Member and IAPCO Training Academy Regional Representative for LATAM
Ready to join the inaugural cohort?
Take the next step in your leadership journey and become part of a growing community of professionals shaping the future of the meetings industry across Latin America and the Caribbean. Applications are open until 30 June.
